Peddars Way is one of England’s oldest long-distance walking trails. Tracing the line of a Roman road built nearly two millennia ago, it stretches 46 miles through the East Anglian countryside — from the sandy heaths of Suffolk to the salt air of the Norfolk coast.
This is not a trail of spectacle. It doesn’t demand speed or reward elevation. Instead, it moves with quiet intent through farmland, heath, and flint-built villages. It is a walk of stillness and rhythm — a route that reveals its character slowly, through changing light, open space, and the steady presence of the land.
The journey begins in Knettishall Heath National Nature Reserve, where the first few miles wind through a mix of lowland heath, ancient woodland, and sandy trails. Native ponies graze on the heathland, and the air is laced with the scent of pine and gorse. The terrain is soft and welcoming, with a sense of space that stays with you for the rest of the walk.
From here, the path follows the route of the Roman road northward through the Breckland — a dry, ecologically distinctive region of open fields and scattered woodland. The line of the road is often visible, especially in long, straight stretches flanked by hedgerows and sunken lanes. The walking is never steep, and rarely busy.
The route passes near several small villages, with places to rest and stay just off the trail. After Little Cressingham, we made a short detour to Great Cressingham, staying at The Olde Windmill Inn — a large, traditional Norfolk pub with a long history and a welcoming atmosphere. The inn is comfortable, slightly dated in places, but well looked after and pleasantly relaxed.
The next stage led us through more open countryside and wide, hedge-lined paths toward Great Massingham, where we stayed at The Dabbling Duck — a modernised country inn that blends contemporary touches with village charm. The setting is idyllic, complete with village greens, duck ponds, and excellent food. It’s a memorable place to pause, and one that reflects the growing presence of locally owned, thoughtfully run accommodation in this part of Norfolk.
Although Swaffham lies near the route and offers more amenities, it requires a significant detour. For walkers focused on staying close to the trail, it may be better suited as a planned stop for those extending or modifying their itinerary.
The trail moves northward, passing through Castle Acre — a village steeped in history. Here, walkers can explore the ruins of a Norman castle and a Cluniac priory, both of which lie just off the route and are well worth visiting. The village itself is timeless, built of flint and brick, and offers a sense of continuity with the past that mirrors the path itself.
Beyond Castle Acre, the Roman road reasserts its straight-backed path through rural Norfolk. The landscape becomes flatter, more open, and increasingly coastal in character. Villages such as Fring and Ringstead offer glimpses of traditional rural life, with their flint churches, quiet lanes, and neatly kept farms.
Eventually, the trail reaches Holme-next-the-Sea, a peaceful village on the Norfolk coast where Peddars Way joins the Norfolk Coast Path. This marks the end of the official route — though it feels more like a beginning than a conclusion.
The coast here is soft and low-lying, with dunes, marshes, and expansive beaches that change with the light and tide. Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve offers excellent birdwatching and an opportunity to continue walking along the shoreline, heading either east toward Wells-next-the-Sea or west to Hunstanton.
For us, it was the perfect place to rest. The pace of the walk, the openness of the land, and the sense of movement through time all settle into the landscape here — where the stillness of Norfolk meets the restless sea.
Peddars Way offers a distinct kind of walking experience. It is not defined by drama or challenge, but by its gentle depth — a trail that reflects the shape of the land and the passing of time.
It’s a route for those who value unhurried travel, open skies, and a connection to place. The walking is easy to moderate, the scenery understated but rewarding, and the accommodations — when chosen well — full of local character.
For walkers seeking a quiet path through historic countryside, the Peddars Way offers something lasting: a sense of continuity, calm, and simple beauty.